Feeler mechanism for looms



l. SNOW.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS. APPLICATION men A'I;R. 7, 1920.

1,387,326, Patented Aug. 9, 1921,

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Invent-01.-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC SNOW, OF LAWRENCE, lllASSACl-IEFSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPORATION,

OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A. CORPORATION OF MAINE. i

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 9, 1921.

Application filed April 7, 1920. Serial No. 372,006.

To all to ham it may concern Be it known that 1, Isaac Snow, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Lawrence, county of Essex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improve ment in Feeler Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms, whereby, when the filling in the shuttle becomes substantially exhausted, a train of mechanism is set in operation to effect a change in the operative condition of the loom, such, for instance, as stopping the loom or changing the filling.

Various forms of feeler mechanisms have heretofore been devised for efiecting the change in the condition of the loom on substantial exhaustion of filling in the shuttle, and among these is that type of feelermechanism generally known as the side swipe feeler. In this general type of feeler mechanism, the feeler is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, but is held from such longitudinal movement by engagement with. the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, whereupon the feeler member is moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle to thereby set in operation a train ofmechanism to effect replenishment of filling.

In one form of the side swipe type of feeler mechanism, the feeler is constructed to have a force exerted thereupon, tending to move it longitudinally of the shuttle upon each detecting beat, but is restrained. from such movement by engagement with the filling, until substantial exhaustion of filling occurs. The present invention is more especially directed to this type of feeler mechanism, and has for one of its objects, the provision of a side swipe feeler' mechanism which will be simple in con struction and effective and sensitive in op-,

presence or substantial absence of filling in the shuttle. An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists of a feeler mechanism which is sensitive to the presence or substantial absence of filling, and which'will effect replenishment of fillmg only when the critical moment occurs.

In carrying this feature of the invention into effect, two independently movable fee].- ers are mounted to enter the shuttle and feel for the filling on each detecting beat, one of which is movable laterally or longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted. A deflector is provided which is constructed to be acted upon by the movement of one feeler toward the front of the loom to exert a laterally displacing force upon the other feeler, and this yielding force serves tomove one feeler laterally when it is no longer held from such movement by the filling, on a detecting beat. Due to the fact that, in the present case, each of the feelers and the actuator are operated by separate springs, the tension of each of these springs may be varied to produce a very sensitive feeler.

The invention will best be understood from the following description and accompanying drawings of one good practical form thereof, "it being understood that changes and modifications may be made in the construction without departing from the true scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Figure l is a perspective view at one side of the loom, showing the feeler mechanism and its associated parts, many of the loom parts being omitted;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the action of the feeler mechanism when a working supply is present on a detecting beat; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, showing the action of the feeler mechanism when the filling is substantially ex hausted.

The general loom construction and the replenishing mechanism whereby filling is re plenished under call of the feeler mechanism, are not shown and described as they may be of usual and well-known construction. The

loom frame 1 has secured thereto the brackets 2, one at each side of the loom frame, in which is mounted the transverse or rock shaft of usual constructlon, and from which rlses the arm a, to the upper end portion of which at 5 is pivoted the latch 6. The rear end portion 7 of the latch 6 is adapted to be en gaged at times by an operating member 6 which may be either the cam follower or a part connected thereto.

The lay 9 is provided with the usual shuttle-box 10, the front wall 11 of which is slotted or cut away, as indicated at 12, to register with an opening 13 in the side of the shuttle, when the shuttle is boxed at the detecting side of the loom. The shuttle 14: contains the usual filling carrier 15. The loom frame 1 has extending therefrom the shipper stand 1", to a slotted arm 17 of which is adjustably secured the support 13. The support may be adjustably secured to the slotted arm 17 by bolts 19, and upon the upper face of this carrier the feeler stand 20 is preferably adjustably secured by bolts 21. The feeler stand 20 serves as a support for parts of the feeler mechanism, and may be conveniently formed as a plate having front and rear flanges 22 and 23. The flanges 22 and 23 afford suitable guiding means for the two feelers and their associated deflectors, to be presently described.

As hereinbefore indicated. the feeler mechanism comprises two feelers, both of which enter the shuttleon a detecting beat and feel for the filling. ()ne of the feelers is mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, and is restrained from lateral movement or movement longitudinally of the shuttle, while the other feeler is mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and in addition ther to, has a lateral or side swipe movement. Associated with the two feelers is a deflector which. when the feelers move frontwardly on a detecting beat, tends to move laterally or in a direction loneitudiually of the shuttie and is restrained from such movement by engagement of one of the feelers with the filling until the latter is substantially exhausted.

The rear flange 23 of the fceler stand is provided with openings and 25 through which the feelers and the deflector extend and by which they are guided in their movements. The front end portions of the feelers and deflector pass through suitable openings in the front flange 22 of the feeler stand, the construction being such that the feelers and deflector are given proper guidance during their movement toward and from the front of the loom.

Through the opening 25 extends the feeler 26 which is movable toward and from the front of the loom but is restrained. from lateral movement by the opening or slot 25. The opening or slot 24 is laterally elongated and through it passes the feeler 30 and the deflector 33, the front end portions of such feeler and deflector as hereinbefore are free for lateral movement or movement longitudinally of the shuttle.

The present invention contemplates that each of the feelers 26 and 30 and the deflector shall be mounted for independent movement, and that each shall be under the influence of a spring normally tending to hold it in its rearward position. The frontwardly-extending portion 27 of the feeler 26 is preferably surrounded by a coiled spring 29, the front end portion of which may bear against a shoulder formed on the feeler 26, and the rear end of which may bear against the rear face of thefront flange 22. A stop or pin 28 secured to the feeler 26 limits its rearward movement. 7 Similarly, the feeler 30 has its frontwardly extended stem portion surrounded by a spring 31 which, like the spring 29, bears against a shouldered portion of the feeler at one end and at its other end against the rear face of the flange 22. The deflector is similarly under the yielding impulse of a spring 34 tending to hold it in its rearward position, and the rearward. positions of the feeler 30 and the deflector are defined by suitable stops such, for instance, as the pins 32 and 35. i

From the construction thus far described, it will be noted tin t each of the feelers 26 and 30 and the deflector 33 is under the independent control of its own spring, and each is independently movable. The deflector 33 may be variously formed, but in the present instance of the invention it is provided with a cam portion 36 which is conveniently located rearwardly of the flange 23 and preferably between the two feelers 26 and 30. One of the feelers, in

the present instance the feeler 26, is provided with an incline or cam surface 37, and the other feeler 30 is provided with teeth 38 on its rearward end, the construction being such that when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, and the two feelers 26 and 30 are moved frontwardly by the front-ward pressure upon them, the cam or incline surface 37 of the feeler 26 will push upon the cam. or incline portion 36 of the deflector, and tend to move the deflector laterally or in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, such movement of the deflector being of the teeth 33 of the other feeler member with the mass of filling in the shuttle.

lVhen, however, the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, the feeler 30 will no lon er be held from lateral movement or movement longitudinally of the shuttle by the filling engaging the toothed prevented by engagement end thereof, and the frontward pressure of the fecler 26 will effect lateral movement of the feeler 30 through the deflector without materially displacing the deflector frontwardly, substantially as indicated in Fig. 3.

The cam surface 37 carried. by the feeler 26 may be conveniently formed by a lateral bend in the feeler itself, but other forms of construction in this regard may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Advantage is taken of the lateral movement of the feeler 30 when filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, to set a train of mechanism for effecting replenishment of filling. In the present instance the deflector 33 has secured to it at 40 one end of a transmitter 39 which has a bend 46 embracing the feeler 30 and forms a convenient means for the relative association of the feeler 30 and the deflector 33 to cause lateral movement of both in unison, while: permitting frontward movement of one of them relative to the other.

The transmitter 39 is operatively connected with suitable means for-placing the end of the latch 6 in the path of the operating member when the feeler 30is moved laterally on a detecting beat. In the present instance, the transmit or is bent downwardly at all and pivotally secured to the downwardly-extending arm 42 of a bell crank 43, which is pivotally supported on a bracket 4-7 conveniently secured to the loom frame. One arm 44 of the bell crank 43 engages the rear end portion of the latch 6, the construction being such that when the bell crank lever is turned upon its pivotal support by the lateral movement of the transmitter 39, the end of the latch will be placed in the path of the operating member 8. In the present instance the rear end of the latch is formed by an arm l8 pivoted at 4-9 to the latch 6 and having an end portion 7 under which the arm. 44 of the bell crank extends. The construction last described forms a convenient means for transmitting lateral movement ofthe feeler 30 to the latch to effect replenishment of filling, but obviously, other means might be suggested within the true scope of the invention. When the feeler 30 has been deflected laterally by substantial absence of filling on a detecting beat, it will be returned to its normal feeling position laterally in opposite position by the weight of the-latch 6 transmitted through the bell crank and transmitter.

When the lay moves frontwardly on a detecting beat, the two feelers 26 and 30 will enter the shuttle and contact with the filling, and the toothed or roughened end portion 38 of the feeler 30 will sink into the mass of filling and be held thereby from lateral movement responsive to the deflector 33, and all three parts, that is, the two feelers 26 and 30, and the deflector 33, will be moved frontwardly in unison while maintaining substantially their relative association, as indicated in Fig. 2. When, however, the filling is substantially exhausted on at detecting beat, the frontward pre$sure of the feeler 26 acting through the inclined surface 37 and the cam portion 36 of the de- 30 and the deflector 33 are mounted forrin- 7 dependent relative movement when filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, but when a working supply of filling is present on a detecting beat, the feelers and deflector move in unison without di turbing their normal related positions.

The construction described presents a good, practical embodiment of the present invention, which will operate to effect re plenishment of filling in a very satisfactory manner when substantial exhaustion of filling occurs; and since the feelers 26 and 30 and the deflector 33 are. all independently movable, these parts may be constructed to produce afeeler which is very sensitive and whichwill operate in a very satisfactory manner.

What is claimed is 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler having a cam sur face, second feeler movable longitudin ally of the shuttle and provided with teeth positioned to engage the filling upon a'detecting beat and to be held therely from such longitudinal movement until substantial exhaustion occurs, a deflector positioned to be moved longitudinally of the shuttle by said cam surface upon a detecting beat,-and constructed to exert a displacing force longitudinally of the shuttle upon the second feeler, and means operable by said longitudinal movement for replenishing filling.

2. Ina feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of two feelers, one of which is movable longitudinally of the shuttle and provided with teeth to engage the filling upon a detecting beat and to be held thereby from such longitudinal movement until sub.- stantial exhaustion occurs, yielding means positioned between said feelers to have a displacing force longitudinally of the shuttle exerted upon it by one of the feelers, upon a detecting beat, and arranged to be held against such movement by said second feeler until substantial exhaustion of filling occurs, and means operable uponsuch movement of said means for replenishing filling.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a movable feeler having a shoulder, a second feeler mounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movement by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion oc curs, yielding means positioned to have a displacing force longitudinally of the shuttle exerted thereupon said shoulder upon a detecting beat, said means arranged to be held against such movement by said second feeler until substantial exhaustion of filling occurs, and means operable upon such movement of said means for replenishing llllin in a feel-or mechanism for looms, the combination of a pair oi feelers mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, one of which is provided with a shoulder, yielding means positioned to have a displacing to be longitudinally of the shuttle exerted thereupon by said shoulder upon a detecting beat, the other feeler being mounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movement by engagement with the filling, said yielding means arranged to be held against movement longitudinally of the shuttle by said last-mentioned feeler until substantial exhaustion of filling occurs, and means operable upon such movement of said means for replenishing filling.

5. in a ifeeler mechanism for looms, the combination of two independently mounted feelers one of wiich is movable longitudinally of the shuttle, a cam or incline formed on the other ieeler, a deflector mounted for movement independently between the feelers and having a cam portion which is adapted to be engaged by the cam or incline on the said other ieeler on a detecting beat and which tends to move the deflector longitudinally of the shuttle and is prevented from eiiecting such movement of the deflector by engagement of the longitudinally movable tfeeler with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof.

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a pair of feeler members and a deflector member each mounted for independent movement toward and from the front of the loom, one of the said members having an inclined surface which is engaged by another of said members and tends to move one of the feeler members longitudinally oi the shuttle relative to the other feeler member by a trontward pressure against a ieeler member on a detecting beat and is prevented from effecting such movement by engagement of a feeler member with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, and means connected to one of the members for effecting replenishment of filling.

i. In a i eeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler having a shoulder, a second itceler movable longitudinally of the shuttle and provided with teeth positioned to engage the filling upon a detecting beat and to be held thereby from such movement until substantial exhaustion occurs, a frontwardly movable deflector mounted between said ieelers and yieldingly held in its rearward position, said deflector positioned to have a displacing force longitudinally of the shuttle exerted upon it by said shoul. der on a detecting beat and arranged to be held against such movement by said second feeler until substantial exhaustion of filling occurs, and means operable upon such movement of said deflector for replenishing filling.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler having a shoulder and movable toward and from the front of the loom, a second ieeler movable longitudinally of the shuttle and provided with teeth positioned to engage the filling upon a detecting beat and held thereby from such movement lon itudinally of the shuttle until substantial exhaustion occurs, a defiector mounted to act upon said second feeler and yieldingly held in its extended position, said deflector positioned to have a displacing force longitudinally of the shuttle exerted thereupon by said shoulder upon a detecting beat and arranged to be held against such movement by said second feeler until substantial exhaustion of filling occurs, and means operable upon such movement or" said deflector for replenishing filling.

9. in a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a'pair of feelers mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, one of said feelers mounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle also and provided with filling engaging teeth, a movable deflector mounted between said feelers and provided with means for yield- "igly holding the same in its projected position, said deflector provided with a cam surface positioned to be engaged and moved longitudinally of the shuttle by one of said feelers upon a detecting beat and arranged to be held against such movement by said longitudinally movable feeler until substantial exhaustion of filling occurs, and means operable upon such movement of the defl ctor for replenishing filling.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ISAAC SNOW. 

